Optimization of Cold-Formed Steel Perforated Sections Subjected to Bending

In the past few years, there has been a surge in the adoption of cold-formed steel (CFS) sections in building residential and industrial structures, driven by their notable structural efficiency and advantageous inherent properties. Hence, optimizing CFS sections with perforations is necessary to preserve the member’s adequacy. Also, the introduction of edge stiffeners proved to reinstate the section’s lost capacity. A non-linear finite element (FE) analysis was utilized to investigate the flexural capacity of CFS channel columns featuring web holes, both with and without edge stiffeners. The finite element (FE) models were validated by comparing them with experimental data, which demonstrated strong agreement in terms of ultimate capacity, load-displacement curves, and deformation patterns under four-point bending. The validated model is then used for a parametric study. The effects of parameters like shape, size, number, spacing, and edge distance of the openings on bending capacities are looked into. A total of 58 models were created using the finite element software ABAQUS to investigate how various parameters such as member length, shape, opening size, number of openings, spacing, and edge distance affect the moment capacities of perforated CFS members in both stiffened and unstiffened conditions. The optimum shapes were regular hexagons and elongated hexagons.